System and Method of Energy Conversion

ABSTRACT

A system and method of energy conversion using a mixture of a compressible gas and an incompressible liquid. Systems found in prior art do not convert all of the potential energy. Novel features of the system increase the conversion of the potential energy with a nozzle and turbine in the area where a mixture of incompressible liquid and compressed gas are separated. A turbine is at the exit of the nozzle, where the mixture contacts that turbine. A compressed gas displaces an incompressible liquid below the exit of the nozzle and location of the turbine. Another turbine can be prior to the nozzle to further increase conversion. A novel feature of the method combines waste heat with a compressed gas to increase potential output during expansion which includes driving a liquid pump that moves the incompressible liquid. External energy in waste heat or electricity is captured, converted, or stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Application No. 62/136,438 filed Mar. 20, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of energy conversion or storage. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of energy conversion, mechanical output or storage using a mixture of a compressible gas and an incompressible liquid. Common sources of energy that often require conversion or storage include waste heat and electricity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing energy conversion or storage methods have a lower rate of conversion efficiency or are limited to certain geographical requirements. Examples of existing energy conversion or storage methods with certain geographical requirements might include hydroelectric dams that require a reservoir or wind turbines that can only function in a specific geographical region. The use of an incompressible liquid to transfer energy to a compressible gas is well known and the information in the prior art references is incorporated by reference into this system and method.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 543,410 (Taylor), 892,772 (Taylor) details the conversion of the energy from a local water supply into compressed air for the operation of compressed air powered tools and other equipment. There are major geographical limitations to this design and not all of the potential energy could be converted.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,379 (Lane) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,563 (Richardson) details the conversion of energy from a water source into compressed air for the specific use of supplying a fuel fired turbine with compressed air for a net increase in efficiency. This design has geographical limitations and only provided a net increase in efficiency in limited designs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,648 (Angle) details the conversion of energy from a water source into compressed air for the specific use of supplying a fuel fired turbine with compressed air for a net increase in efficiency. This design has geographical limitations and only provided a net increase in efficiency in limited designs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,485 (Bellamy) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into compressed gas and other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,024 (Hancock) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into compressed gas and other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,463 (Ogolla, Lee) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for pumping water and converting energy into compressed gas with one unit.

WO2005075818 (Nardini) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,492 (Vrana, Timmons, Walters) details the conversion of the potential energy from a falling water source into compressed air for use or other outputs, such as pumping water or electricity generation. This design is limited to converting only the energy available from the water source and converts no external energy sources or convert multiple sources simultaneously.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,632 (Fuller) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into compress air and other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Ser. No. 14/150,495 (Markie) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into compressed air and other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the water source and does not convert external energy.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,946,922 (Johnson) details the use of a compressible gas and incompressible liquid for converting energy into other outlets including electricity generation. The design is limited to the potential energy from the compressed air source to lift the water and does not convert external energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method of energy conversion using a mixture of a compressible gas and an incompressible liquid. Systems found in prior art do not convert all of the potential energy. Novel features of the system increase the conversion of the potential energy with a nozzle and turbine in the area where a mixture of incompressible liquid and compressed gas are separated. A turbine is at the exit of the nozzle, where the mixture contacts that turbine. A compressed gas displaces an incompressible liquid below the exit of the nozzle and location of the turbine. Another turbine can be prior to the nozzle to further increase conversion. A novel feature of the method combines waste heat with a compressed gas to increase potential output during expansion which includes driving a liquid pump that moves the incompressible liquid. External energy in waste heat or electricity is captured, converted, or stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in one use environment.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing common external energy sources.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of different shapes of the various components of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures provided by way of exemplification and not limitation, a system having preferred features of the present invention is described. As seen in the figures, components of the present invention may have features of other energy conversion systems, but has differences that provide novel and useful features for energy conversion.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 1 there is shown a system 10 that includes a holding tank 18 with first input port 2 that transmits a compressible gas 12, such as atmospheric air, and second input port 4 that transmits an incompressible liquid 16, such as water. The gas 12 is entrained or injected into the liquid 16 in bubbles 14. This mixture 6 flows through a down pipe 20 where the mass of the liquid 16 compresses the gas 12 to a pressure higher than the compressible gas 12. The down pipe 20 connects to the separating area 28 so the compressible gas 12 and incompressible liquid 16 can be separated with the incompressible liquid 16 continuing through the return pipe 36 and the compressed gas 12 added to a temporary storage 32 within the separating area 28 or continuing through the compressed gas port 34. The incompressible liquid 16 is now moved by a liquid pump 38 connected to the return pipe 36.

During operation pump 38 moves the incompressible liquid 16 through the liquid return pipe 42 that connects with the holding tank 18. This allows the system 10 to function in a closed cycle without requiring additional incompressible liquid 16 to be added. Some or all of the incompressible liquid 16 can flow through the liquid port 40 to the incompressible liquid supply 64. This allows the system 10 to function in an open cycle where the incompressible liquid 16 is continuously replaced. As the compressed gas 12 flows between the compressed gas port 34 and compressed gas port 46, the compressed gas 12 can provide mechanical output with compressed gas expansion motor 8 or stored 58 for later use. Some or all of the compressed gas 12 can flow through a heat exchanger 44 between compressed gas port 34 and compressed gas expansion motor 60. A heat exchanger 44 transfers waste heat 62 to the compressed gas 12 to increase the potential mechanical output, such as powering the liquid pump 38. Some or all of the compressed gas can 12 flow through a gas return 48 between compressed gas port 34 and holding tank 18.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, the input 2 of the compressible gas 12 can combine with the incompressible liquid 16 at any point of the holding tank 18 and in multiple points to form the mixture 6. The height of the down pipe 20 and flow rate of the incompressible liquid 16 determines the energy that can be converted into the compressed gas 12. The ratio of the flow rates of the incompressible liquid 16 and compressible gas 12 inside the down pipe 20 will change the ratio of energy transferred to the compressible gas 12. The energy that can be transferred to the compressible gas 12 is based on the difference in potential energy of the incompressible liquid 16 between the holding tank 18 and return pipe 36.

Besides the energy transferred to the compressed gas 12, the mixture 6 can also transfer energy to conversion devices 22. Having a conversion device 22, such as a reaction turbine, within the down pipe 20 can convert some of the energy within the mixture 6 into mechanical output, a secondary form of energy or a secondary form of energy storage. The compressible gas 12 can have a port 2 before the conversion device 22 or port 24 after the conversion device 22 depending on the tolerance of the conversion device 22 to the compressible gas 12.

As the mixture 6 continues into the separating area 28 from the down pipe 20 the mixture 6 will change direction into a nozzle 26 to increase the velocity of the mixture 6. Locating a conversion device 30, such as an impulse turbine, directly in the path of the mixture 6 leaving the nozzle 26 allows energy to transfer from the mixture 6 into mechanical output, a secondary form of energy or a secondary form of energy storage. This conversion device 30 helps facilitate the separation of compressed gas 12 and incompressible liquid 16 after the mixture 6 contacts the conversion device 30 where the gas 12 enters the temporary storage 32 of the separating area 28 and the incompressible liquid 16 remains below the exit of the nozzle 26. The compressed gas 12 will displace the incompressible liquid 16 within the separating area 28 at a level below the nozzle 26. The compressed gas 12 will guide the incompressible liquid 16 between the separating area 28 and return pipe 36 where the incompressible liquid 16 continues into the liquid pump 38.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, waste heat 62 is provided to the heat exchanger 44 which transfers waste heat 62 to the compressed gas 12 that flows between compressed gas port 34 and compressed gas expansion motor 60. During transferring of waste heat 62 to the compressed gas 12, the compressed gas 12 increases in pressure, volume, or both which increases potential mechanical output during expansion of a compressed gas 12. Compressed gas expansion motor 60 can power liquid pump 38. Electricity 66 can power the liquid pump 38. The system 10 can function from waste heat 62 electricity 66 or variations of both simultaneously. The compressed gas 12 from the temporary storage 32 in the separating area 28 or storage 58 can flow to the compressed gas expansion motor 60, the compressed gas return pipe 48 or both simultaneously.

The system 10 will not function without external energy provided to the liquid pump 38. The mechanical output, secondary form of energy or secondary form of energy storage from the conversion devices 22, 30 cannot provide the energy required by the liquid pump 38. External energy provided to the system 10 determines the energy that can be converted into mechanical output, a secondary form of energy or a secondary form of energy storage. Multiple holding tank(s) 18 down pipe(s) 20 separating area(s) 28 return pipes(s) 36 liquid return pipe(s) 42 gas return(s) 48 may be combined into a single system 10.

The construction details of the invention in FIG. 1 are that the holding tank 18 down pipe 20 separating area 28 and return pipe 36 liquid return pipe 42 gas return 48 may be made of any material sufficiently rigid and strong enough to handle the forces of the incompressible liquid 16 compressible gas 12 and the conversion device(s) 22, 30 that may provide mechanical output, a secondary form of energy or a secondary form of energy storage. The size and shape of the the holding tank 18 down pipe 20 separating area 28 and return pipe 36 liquid return pipe 42 gas return 48 can vary to meet specific requirements.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 2, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the ground level 50 with two water surfaces 52. In this use environment the system 10 can function in an open cycle, closed cycle, or variation of both cycles by the location of the system 10 relative to the water surfaces 52.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 3, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the water surface 52. In this use environment the system 10 can function in an open cycle, closed cycle, or variation of both cycles by the location of the system 10 relative to the water surface 52.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 4, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the water surface 52. In this use environment the system 10 can function in an open cycle, closed cycle, or variation of both cycles by the location of the system 10 relative to the water surface 52.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 5, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the ground level 50. In this use environment the system 10 can function in a closed cycle by the location of the system 10 relative to the ground level 50 requiring no additional source of incompressible liquid other than what is contained within the system 10.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 6, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the ground level 50. In this use environment the system 10 can function in a closed cycle by the location of the system 10 relative to the ground level 50 requiring no additional source of incompressible liquid other than what is contained within the system 10.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 7, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the ground level 50 and supported by the nearby building(s) 54. In this use environment the system 10 can function in an open cycle, closed cycle, or variation of both cycles.

Referring now to the invention in FIG. 8, the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown relative to the ground level 50 and supported by the nearby elevated structure(s) 56, such as tower(s) and wind turbine(s). In this use environment the system 10 can function in an open cycle, closed cycle, or variation of both cycles.

Referring now to the details in FIG. 9, the invention from FIG. 1 is powered from external energy sources, such as waste heat and electricity. The left column list common sources of waste heat that includes but is not limited to boiler(s), process heat, and solar thermal. The right column list common sources of electricity that includes but is not limited to wind, solar, off-peak.

Referring to the details in FIG. 10, the shapes shown are possible shapes of the components in the invention from FIG. 1.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is a system and method of energy conversion that can use many forms of external energy that may include, but are not limited to, electricity, waste heat, or solar thermal. Further, the system and method can provide a high rate of conversion efficiency. Further, the system and method is not limited to the same geographical restrictions as other methods of energy conversion or storage. In broad embodiment, the present invention is a system and method of energy conversion, mechanical output or storage that functions by using a mixture of a compressible gas and an incompressible liquid.

Modifications of the structure, arrangement, proportions, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the present invention, and otherwise, some of which are adapted to specific environments and operative requirements, can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. Various types of electrical controls may be required, which have not been shown or discussed. Various types of valves may be required, which have not been shown or discussed.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

It is seen that the system and structure of the present invention provides novel and useful features for an alternative form of energy conversion. The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those set forth without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiment are, therefore, to be illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are embraced.

It should be understood that other liquids will be the mechanical equivalent of water in the system described and claimed. It should be understood that other gases will be the mechanical equivalent of atmospheric air in the system described and claimed. 

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. An energy conversion system comprising: a. a compressible gas source; b. an incompressible liquid source; c. a holding tank 18 with a first input port 2 connected to the compressible gas source to and a second input port 4 connected to the incompressible liquid source, compressible gas from the compressible gas source and compressible liquid from the incompressible liquid source being mixed together in the holding tank 18; d. a down pipe 20 connected to the holding tank 18; e. a first conversion device 22 connected at one end of the down pipe 20 opposite the first and second input ports, 12, 16, said first conversion device 22 configured to reaction turbine; f. a separation pipe 28 attached to the down pipe 20; g. a second conversion device 30 located inside said separation pipe 28, said second conversion pipe 28 configured to impulse turbine. h. a gas return pipe 34 configured extending between said separation pipe 28 and said holding tank 18; i. a temporary storage pipe 32; j. a return pipe 36 attached to the temporary storage pipe 32 k. liquid pump 38 connected to said return pipe configured to move incompressible liquid; l. liquid exist port 40 formed after the liquid pump 38; and, m. a liquid return pipe 42 connected at one end to the return pipe and connecting at one end to the holding tank
 18. 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a nozzle 26 located between the down pipe and separating area that increases the velocity of the mixture.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first conversion device is an impulse turbine located at the exit of the nozzle so the mixture will make contact with the conversion device.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first conversion device is configured to provide mechanical output, secondary forms of energy, such as electricity.
 5. The system of claim 2 further comprising: a conversion device located at the exit of the nozzle so the mixture will make contact with conversion device, that facilitates the separation of the higher density liquid from the lower density gas allowing the gas to rise in the separation area and the liquid to fall in the separation area.
 6. The system of claim 2 further comprising: a conversion device located at the exit of the nozzle so the mixture will make contact with conversion device, that facilitates the separation of the higher density liquid from the lower density gas allowing the gas to displace the liquid in the separation area to a level below the exit of the nozzle.
 7. The system of claim 2 further comprising: a conversion device located at the exit of the nozzle so the mixture will make contact with conversion device, that operates against the resistance of the gas in the separation area.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said second conversion device is a reaction turbine.
 9. A method of energy conversion, comprising the following steps: a. selecting a system that includes: a compressible gas source; an incompressible liquid source; a holding tank 18 with a first input port 2 connected to the compressible gas source to and a second input port 4 connected to the incompressible liquid source, compressible gas from the compressible gas source and compressible liquid from the incompressible liquid source being mixed together in the holding tank 18; a down pipe 20 connected to the holding tank 18; a first conversion device 22 connected at one end of the down pipe 20 opposite the first and second input ports, 2, 4, said first conversion device 22 configured to reaction turbine; a separation pipe 28 attached to the down pipe 20; a second conversion device 30 located inside said separation pipe 28, said second conversion device 30 configured to impulse turbine. a gas return pipe 34 configured extending between said separation pipe 28 and said holding tank 18; a temporary storage pipe 32; a return pipe 36 attached to the temporary storage pipe 32 liquid pump 38 connected to said return pipe configured to move incompressible liquid. liquid exist port 40 formed after the liquid pump; and, a liquid return pipe 42 connected at one end to the return pipe and connecting at one end to the holding tank
 18. b. flowing compressible gas into the holding tank; c. flowing incompressible liquid into the holding tank d. activating the pump causing the compressible gas and incompressible liquid to flow from the holding tanks into the down. 